April Fish'n Conditions
Capt. Tom Loe
April 6, 2011
Eastern Sierras - Freshwater Fishing Report
Howdy friends and Sierra Drifters. Best fishes to all for this April Fish'n Conditions update in the Eastern High Sierra.
The bag has been mixed with regards to weather this spring. As many of you may know Mammoth Mountain crushed the all-time record for snow fall in a year with over 600 inches (50 feet) recorded already and more forecast to fall in early April. The Owens Valley has enjoyed a seasonal spring; however the river has been at high flows making fly fishing tough during the initial increases. Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir will be ice free a couple weeks earlier this season but water temps will be on the cool side once again and I would not bank on a "shotgun" start for the opener. Forget the alpine lakes above 8000 plus feet, and upper freestone creeks until well after Memorial Day or later. Too much snow and ice. If the air temps get really warm early on, you will see VERY high water in the rivers and creeks. If it remains cool and we get a slow transition into summer some fisheries/conditions will be good. The snow level is currently 7500 feet and remains substantial at the time of this report. At 9000 feet it is still TEN FEET in depth. It will be a tough spring and early summer for fishing upper elevations. On a positive note, the late summer and fall will be excellent.
Picture: Spring means the rainbows have all their colorful makeup on. Mark H. displays a beautiful football shaped East Walker River male.
East Walker River:
I have to give credit to the water lords here this season. They have managed the EW very well and performed a "flushing flow" of 900cfs early on in March so that we could enjoy some great fishing this spring. The EW is in the best shape I have seen in recent years and is fishing very well in ALL sections. Flows will vacillate from time to time as demands increase in Nevada, however they are currently holding between 200 & 300 cfs give or take. In my opinion these are ideal for this river during the spring season. Tandem nymph rigs loaded with pheasant tail imitations #14-18, stone fly nymphs #10-12, midges #16-20, broken back midges #16-18, San Juan worms #12-16 are all effective currently. Streamer fishing is also good and you will have a better shot at hooking one of those legendary monsters that hold in the dark water. #6-10 use them with a light to moderate sinking tip. There are BWO hatches #18 in the afternoon. The fish are spread out much better this spring than in years past and not stacked up in the "mile" which makes a better fishing experience for all. Please check out the video on Youtube, there is a link provided at the top of my website Fish'N Conditions page.
Picture: Doc Bailey with one of many EW browns caught recently. Happy B-day Doc!
Picture: Harpy had a nice little "sugar hole" going in the morning and kept T. Loe busy with the net.
Picture: The "Stud of the Suds" strikes again. Doc Bailey wrestled with quite a few this day.
Picture: Harpy spanks another one on the EW. Conditions are excellent and so is the catching!
Hot Creek:
So far, so good. Water clarity and flows remain great. You will see the trend change shortly and don't be surprised to have some high water/off color days in the near future here when the air temps begin to warm. Although HC is a small ground fed spring creek, it has the confluence of Mammoth Creek near its headwaters and is greatly influenced by Mammoth Creek's conditions. MC is a freestone creek and it will begin to swell as the huge snowpack starts to melt and run-off.
Nymphing with PT's #18-20, brokenback and standard crystal midges #16-22, SJ worms #12-16 (red or brown), egg patterns #14-18, BWO adults #18 for surface action in the afternoon, stone fly nymphs and adults #12-16, baetis emergers #18-20 (great to fish in the weed channels) are good selections currently. Try chucking some streamers #8-12 if the water gets high and off color. " The Forest Circus" gate remains closed as of this report but expect it to open soon. The snow is gone save for a few accumulations on the northern exposures; access into the canyon is good. I have a new video of HC posted on Youtube as well so you can see for yourself what it looks like.
Picture: The "Foaminator" Lan W. shows off a pretty HC brownie.
Picture: The "stud of the suds" did well on the second day at HC as well. Got them on top, and while nymphing!
Upper Owens River:
The WAR WAGON snow mobile has been stored for the season and access into the UO above Benton Crossing has improved. You may take your vehicles in on the north side main dirt road, but I DO NOT suggest you proceed further along the two track feeder roads right now. They are a mess and the tow trucks are making a fortune pulling out those who try to drive in on the mud to the walk through areas. Fishing is very slow here and not worth the effort right now. There are a few scattered big fish here and there but it is a long while and a lot of casts between fish as of this report. The "snow bows" have gone back to Crowley. We had an incredible winter this year and strongly suggest you try this trip out next season for a shot at these awesome winter run rainbows.
Picture: Harold G. with his B-day snow bow caught in mid-March with T. Loe.
Picture: Gary P. had a dream day in late March. He hooked a dozen of these beasts in ONE POOL ALONE!
Picture: Epic fishing in late March for Upper Owens River winter run rainbows. I am already looking forward to next year! Great day Gary, see ya next year!
Lower Owens River:
It has sucked here recently. The increase has really dampened fishing with these high release rates in all sections. Fish reports are based on what is-and what was, for the most part. There is going to be a change for the positive before long. You will see a DRAMATIC DECREASE in the flows when the Southern Sierra begins to run-off. The aqueduct will not accommodate all the run-off and the high release rates at one time so flows will be cut down for an extended period to allow for the lower areas to drain. Crowley is currently lowering at a very fast clip and I expect fishing to get good on the Lower Owens within the month, so don't count this area out. Wading in the wild trout section will be difficult and in some instances dangerous for crossing so exercise caution. Heavily weighted nymph rigs using lots of flash in your #14-18 patterns will still get grabs in the accessible areas here. The drift boating has also been slow but it will pick up as the fish acclimate and adjust to the higher levels. Clarity and silt are improving as well. The streamer fishing can be sensational this time of year and I fully expect to have some great days in the near future. We used to say "make the news, don't hear about it" when I was commercial fishing. Here is your tip for this area. I have posted an on the spot video on Youtube that is recently updated.
Picture: Glenn K. got a nice male despite high flows and some slow catching recently.
Picture: Daryl B. is a veteran Sierra Drifter and fooled this nice brownie just as the flows started to rise.
Picture: Chris and Lois V. had to work hard to get fish during the high flows but managed to get some picture fish during the drift.
Picture: Chris S. battling a nice fish during a recent drift. Gino V. clearing the field. The boys from Bakersfield launched a four day assault on the Sierra and did well, and shall be well remembered! Thanks guys.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Gorge:
Tubing PV is a good bet trolling streamers near the launch ramp, and right near the transition from the river into the lake. There is very high flows in the river when the turbine is on so position yourself where the water slows down and there is less debris.
The Gorge is fishing great and flows here are stable. If you don't mind the hiking and rock hopping this is a good area to get into fish on the surface. Mayfly and caddis fly imitations #14-18 are good choices. Dry/dropper bead head nymph rigs work well also for the deeper runs and pools.
Be the fly…Tom Loe, Sierra Drifters
760-935-4250
[email protected]
www.sierradrifters.com
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